Simply put, 30% of patients with breast cancer are not adequately represented. In the “pink room” of the breast cancer conversation there’s an elephant being ignored -- we the 30% of patients with breast cancer who metastasize.

​Our life expectancy is only 18-24 months. In the last decade, there have been some treatment advances, but not nearly as many as there could have been. Why? According to an analysis of cancer organizations from the Western world, of all the millions of dollars going to cancer research it is estimated that only about 5% goes toward any metastatic disease. We are the elephant in the pink room. We are ignored because recognizing us accepts the reality that a large number (30%) of patients with breast cancer metastasize and that almost all of us die. You don’t like to think about it. Neither do we! But it is our reality and it could be yours. But there is hope.

Many researchers believe that they could develop treatments that could significantly help extend lives and possibly save lives if research were equitably funded. Our hope is that 30% of breast cancer research funds will go into metastatic breast cancer research to find solutions for the 30% of patients who metastasize.

Breast cancer remains a leading cause of cancer deaths among women worldwide. Any person diagnosed with breast cancer lives with the fear of their cancer metastasizing, or spreading to other parts of their body. Despite the focus on prevention, early detection and early stage treatments, 30% of patients with breast cancer continue to metastasize. To help save lives solutions must be found for the metastatic community. If new drugs are developed that can help patients survive metastatic breast cancer, then patients with all stages of breast cancer will have hope.

METAvivor was founded almost four years ago to fill the metastatic breast cancer research gap. At the time, no organization was giving any significant percentage of funding to metastatic breast cancer research and there was no opportunity to donate directly to MBC research. We were founded to provide that opportunity. We are now a nationally recognized organization focused on awareness, support and research. We are making a difference and you can help. We invite you to join us in advocating for MBC recognition and research funding. Here are a few ways you can get involved:

The Elephant in the Pink Room MBC Awareness campaign was sponsored by Eisai Inc. for Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October 2012.

This campaign, established during Breast Cancer Awareness Month in 2012, was made possible by Eisai Inc. This support was in addition to a multi-year pledge to help fund critical research for patients with MBC.